[pelicans] Boys U10's Regional Finals - Picture to follow

[Kirsten Kerry]

Our U10 boys travelled to Harleston to compete, for the 2nd year running representing Norfolk, in the Regional Finals.  The other teams were from Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex and Hertfordshire. Four players were part of the squad that competed last year and it was very evident that experience gave them a great deal of confidence. The teams were organised into two leagues of 5 teams with the top 2 teams going through to the semi-finals and the rest through to the placement matches.

Our first game was against Broxbourne and it couldn't have been a better start. A few quick passes from the push back led to Harry Fox tapping in the first goal within a minute.  Broxbourne had a few chances to equalize but Padraig Turner in goal along with Tom Towler and Shen Wei Lim prevented them from scoring.  Pelicans struck again with a well taken new penalty corner routine, Sam Stonebridge out to Sam Phillips led to a quick one-two with Shen Wei Lim giving Phillips plenty of time to pick his spot and power home for Pelicans 2nd.
Pelicans started strongly in the second half and a good drive from Tom Towler led to Shen Wei Lim scoring a good goal from open play.  Adam Ward had good chances to get on the score sheet but just couldn't find the net.  Josh Ampomah came on at the back and distributed the ball well and Joseph Pink got a run out on the left wing.  Sam Phillips got his 2nd goal and Pelicans finished the game 4-0 winners.

A long break of an hour didn't suit Pelicans but again they started strongly and this time it was Shen Wei Lim who scored in the first minute against Blue Hornets. Adam Ward joined Towler in defense and they played well. A miss-understanding of the rules led Pelicans to stop playing and the Hornets took the opportunity to equalize.  A hard lesson learnt to play to the whistle.  Pelicans had chances to score again, a well taken penalty corner saw Stonebridge narrowly miss at the near post but it was Hornets who went ahead from a penalty corner. The team pushed hard to equalize but Phillips shot was deflected wide by the keeper and the game finished 1-2.

Ice creams all round improved everyone's mood for the next game against Bury St Edmonds but Pelicans soon found themselves 1-0 down.  Bury were strong opposition and the whole team had to work hard, but  a well earned penalty corner and the same successful routine saw Phillips pull one back.  Alistair Kerry came on up front and chased well. The match stayed level until the final minutes when another penalty corner gave Phillips the opportunity for a straight strike and the game finished 2-1 to Pelicans.

The scheduling didn't go in our favor as the final group game saw Pelicans up against Cambridge City, a fast and well drilled team. They were soon 2-0 down as tiredness began to show but nobody gave up and Phillips got a goal back from a penalty corner. Unfortunately Cambridge continued to press the Pelicans defense hard and scored a third and the game finished 1-3. This cost Pelicans the second place position, leaving them in third after the group matches. Cambridge won the league and went on to be the eventual Regional Champions.

Another long break saw Pelicans start the final match, the 5th/6th play off game at 5pm after starting the competition at 12.30pm! Up against Blue Harts both teams battled well but it was the opposition who scored first.  Hard work from Stonebridge and Fox in midfield and Ward up front mean it wasn't long before they earned themselves a penalty corner and another strike from Phillips put the game level.  Neither team could convert further chances and the game finished a draw. This lead to a Penalty Flick competition. Stonebridge was up first but his flick caught the cross bar and went over.  Blue Harts converted their chance and went into the lead.  Next was Phillips who with a goal tally of 6 for the day put his flick just wide of the post.  Padraig Turner in goal made an excellent save to keep Pelicans in with a chance but again the next shot from Lim was wide and Pelicans had to settle for 6th place.  A very credible and well earned result. 

Well done to all the team, you represented your club and county exceedingly well.  It is too hard to pick a player of the tournament as you all played such a key role in the teams success.  Special mention must go to Padraig Turner, new to goal keeping this season who played very well, Sam Phillips for great individual skills and a massive goal tally and Sam Stonebridge, Harry Fox and Shen Wei Lim for working tirelessly.

Kirsten
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